Bomb releasing shackle



Nov. 7, 1944.

R. l. MARKE-Y BOMB RELEASING SHACKLE Fil d A '7, 19 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR ROSGOE MARKEY ATTORNEY Nov. 7, 1944. R. I.-MARKEY BOMB RELEASING SHACKLE Fil'ed Aug. 7, 1941 I5 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR ROSGOE 1. .MARKEY ATTORNEY Nov. 7, 1944. R. 1. MARKEY 2,362,210

BOMB RELEASING SHACKLE Filed Aug. 7, 1941 s Sheets-Sheet 5 Fig.5

INVENTOR Rqscos l. MARKEY 52. flin ATTORNEY Patented Nov. 7, 1944 BOMB RELEASING SHACKLE Roscoe I. Markey, East Orange, N. J., assignor to Pollak Manufacturing N. .L, a corporation of New Jersey Application August 7, 1941, Serial No. 405,729

3 Claims.

The invention relates to bomb releasing shackles, particularly adapted for use with aerial bombs.

In accordance with the invention a bomb shackle having a two point support for the bomb is provided with suitable means to release both of these supporters at precisely the same instant.

Among the objects of the present invention is the provision of a bomb releasing shackle having an extremely simple construction and one that is most eflicient in operation.

A further important object is the provision of a safety feature whereby the bomb in an adjoining section cannot be electrically connected in the release circuit until the bomb has actually been released from the preceding station.

Another object is the provision of a control mechanism which in one position will prevent the bomb from being released should the current be inadvertently turned on, and in another position the bomb may be manually released if the electric current should fail.

Other important objects and advantages will become apparent as this specification proceeds. Referring to the accompanying drawings forming a part thereof and in which a preferred form of the invention is illustrated:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation, the parts being in the locked position;

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary elevational view of the left hand end of the bomb releasing shackle, the solenoid and switch mechanism being removed, the solenoid core being in section, and the parts being in position whereby the bomb may be released when the solenoid is energized;

Fig. 3 is an end view on a somewhat larger scale;

Fig. 4 is an elevational view looking from the opposite side of Fig. 1, one of the side plates being removed and parts being in section. In this view the operating lever has been moved its limit so the bomb could be dropped manually without energizing the solenoid, and the mechanism is shown it in the position it would assume with thebomb dropped;

Figs. .5 and 6 are sectional views taken respectively on lines 5-5 and 6-41 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 7 is an end view of the solenoid with the cap removed to show the switches; and

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary detail View of a modified construction.

Fig. 9 is a wiringdiagram.

This invention has to do with simplifications and a mechanism having additional advantages Company, Arlington,

over that disclosed in my copending application Serial No. 333,921, filed'May 8, 1940.

Referring again to the drawings the framework or supporting structure of the shackle comprises two spaced plates Hll0, resistance welded or otherwise secured to hinge-members I2 and I3.

The hinge-members comprise yokes to which short rods M are resistance welded or otherwise secured at their connecting portions. The yokes are bifurcated so as to form openings [5 to permit of entry of the supporting members of the bomb rack or hanger, the exposed parts of the rods [4 acting as bearings therefor.

Hooks l6 and I1 are pivoted at l8 and I9 in the plates 10 and hinge-members |2--l3 at either end of the shackle. The hooks i6 and I! in the locked position of the shackle as shown in Fig. 1 sufiiciently close the entrances of openings 20 to support rings or other suitable members 2| which carry the bomb (not shown), thus providing a two point support for the bomb.

The upper portions of the hooks l6 and I1 are pivoted at 22 to a longitudinally extending tie member 23. It will be apparent the hooks l6 and I1 and tie member 23 are movable simultaneously, and further more that the weight of the bomb as it hangs on the hooks tends to move the tie-member toward the right in Fig. 1 and causes the hooks to move away from the openings 20.

Releasable locking means for tie member and its hooks are provided and this means will now be described. The hook l6 has an extending toe 24 the free end of which engages a notch 25 in a pawl 26 when the parts are in the locked position of Figs. 1 and 2. The pawl 26 is pivoted in the side plates II] at 21 and is normally urged toward its releasing position by a spring 28.

The pawl 26 has an arm 29, the underside of which in the locked position engages a pin 30 forming part of the core of the solenoid 3! hereinafter described. It is thus thought to be apparent that when the pin 30 on the core of the solenoid is retracted either electrically or manually the pin will move out of the path of the arm 29 and the weight of the bomb will instantly cause the toe 24 to be disengaged from the notch 25 in the pawl 26 and the bomb will be dropped as heretofore described. The pawl 26 is provided with a finger piece 32 extending below the side plates so as to permit of easier manipulation.

The opposite side of the pawl arm 29 to that which engages the solenoid pin 30 is beveled as indicated at 33 in Fig. 5. In resetting the mechanism when positioning a new bomb the beveled edge 33 cams the pin 3|] out of its path until the locked position is reached.

Safety means are provided operating in conjunction with the solenoid whereby a bomb cannot be dropped should the solenoid become inadvertently energized such as by a short circuit or other things that might happen in an emergency. This safety means also contemplates manual control for releasing the bomb. This would be desirable at times and very important if the electrical means should fail.

A control lever 35- is pivoted at 36 and is adapted to assume one of three positions. The position illustrated in Fig. 1 is the locked position and in this position as will be apparent hereinafter the bomb cannot be released even if the solenoid should be energized unintentionally. In the position of the parts illustrated in Fig. 2 the bomb may be released by energizing the solenoid. In the position shown in Fig. 4 which might be termed an emergency position the bomb has been released manually by engagement of the end of the operating lever with the core of the solenoid as will be apparent hereinafter.

The solenoid 3| which is mounted on one of the side plates I comprises a casing 40 with the usual winding 4|. The core 42 is forced outwardly or to what might be termed the locked or holding position by a spring 43. In this position cured to the control lever will prevent movement of the solenoid core even though the solenoid should be inadvertently energized.

Fig. 2 illustrates the control lever 35 moved to its second position. It will be apparent from an inspection of this figure that the core of the solenoid is free to move and when the solenoid is energized its core will be retracted and the pin 30 will be moved out of the path of the arm 29 of the pawl 26 and the bomb will be released. That part of the solenoid core between the pin 3|] and the groove M is made in the form of a truncated cone 46. The free end of the control lever 35 beyond its pivot 36 is beveled as indicated at Ml, see Fig. 5. When the control lever is moved to its third position the beveled end 41 engages truncated portion 46 of the solenoid core and cams the solenoid core to its retracted position, thus moving the pin 30 out of the path of the pawl arm 29 and causing the bomb to be released. It will therefore be apparent that 'the bomb may be manually released if the electric means should fail or if one wants to release it without using the electric means.

The control lever 35 is provided with a protuberance 48 and this protuberance engages one of three indentations 49 in one of the side plates l0, depending upon the position to which the control lever is moved. A flat spring 55 urges the control lever toward the plate I 0 '(Figs. 2 and 3).

An arming mechanism is provided and this is similar to one of the forms of arming mechanism disclosed in my aforesaid mentioned patent application. As illustrated the operating lever 5| is connected by a link 52 to the'control lever 35. However, the link might be omitted and the arming mechanism and control lever operated separately or the link 52 might be a push link, that is not connected to the operating lever 5| and thereby movable in one direction only bythe operating lever as illustrated in Fig. 8.

The operating lever 5| of the arming mechanism works in conjunction with a latch member 53 which is adapted to retain the arming wire' 54 when it is desired to drop the bomb armed, and to release the arming wire with the bomb when it is desired to drop the bomb unarmed. A spring 55 normally urges the operating lever 5| towards the right in Fig. 1, or to what might be termed the safety or locked position.

In the position illustrated in Fig. 1 as heretofore explained the mechanism is' locked and the bomb cannot be dropped. In the position shown in Fig. 2 the bomb may be dropped when the solenoid is energized and in this position the arming wire would be retained by the latch member 53 and the bomb would drop armed. As illustrated in the position of Fig. 4 the bomb would drop unarmed but as heretofore explained 1 which the link 52 is not connected to the operating lever 5|. With this arrangement the bomb may be dropped armed or unarmed, either electrically or manually. When it is desired to drop the bomb manually, the control lever is manipulated as heretofore described and the operating lever 5| of the arming mechanism may be moved so that the bomb may drop armed or unarmed.

When it is desired to drop the bomb electrically the control lever 35 as heretofore described is moved to its central position. If the bomb is to be dropped unarmed the operating lever 5| of the arming mechanism remains in the position of Fig. 1 and when the solenoid is energized the bomb will drop unarmed. When the bomb is to be electrically, dropped in its armed condition the operating lever 5| ismoved to its central position and when, the' solenoid is energized and the bomb drops, the arming wire will be retained and the bomb will be dropped armed.

Simple means are provided whereby the bomb shackle in the adjoining section of the rack cannot beelectrically connected in the release circuit until the bomb has actually been released from the preceding station.

This means comprises a fork 60 mounted on theouter end of the solenoid core. When the solenoid is energized and the core is retracted into the coil of the solenoid the fork will be projected and the arms Of. the fork will engage plungers 6| on a pairof switches 62, 63. The prongs of the fork are resilient or in other words comprise an elastic or spring element. This construction prevents excessive loads on the switches and provides an adjustment which is effected at the time of installation. Thus, if the switches are not accurately positioned, the-prongs may be slightly spread or pushed toward each other depending upon conditions. The switch 62 as illustrated particularly in Fig. 9 is a single pole normally open switch or in other words the circuit is always open until the plunger BI is depressed by one of the prongs 54 of the fork' 60 which is carried by the core'of the. solenoid. The plunger 6| of the switch 62is always depressed when the shackle is loaded, that is when a bomb is in position in the shackle. In the position of Fig. 9, the bomb has been dropped and it-will be noted the circuit to the fixed contact 65 is broken.

The switch 62 controls a pilot light circuit 66, the pilot light 61 of said circuit preferably being located in the bombardiers station. It will be understood there is a pilot light at the bombardiers station for each bomb shackle and its respective switch 62. All of the pilot lights 6'! and the switches 62 may be suitably wired together and controlled by a master switch 68. From the foregoing it is thought to be apparent when the shackle is loaded the plunger 6| will be depressed, the light circuit completed and the pilot light will inform the bombardienthe bomb.

is in position to be dropped. After the bomb has been dropped the circuit will be broken as hereinafter described and the absence of the light will enable the bombardier to know there is no bomb in that particular shackle. 'The switch 63 is a single pole double throw switch in which the movable contact is always in engagement with one or the other of the fixed contacts "H or it. When the shackle is loaded and the plunger 6! of the switch 63 is depressed by one of the prongs 64 the movable contact it) engages the fixed contact 7i and the current is directed through the connection 13 to the wiring M of the solenoid 3i of the bomb shackle. When this circuit is closed by a master switch hereinafter referred to the solenoid will operate the mechanism heretofore described to drop the bomb.

After the bomb has been dropped and the circuit cut by opening the master switch 14 the fork 60 will be retracted under pressure of the solenoid spring 43 and the plunger 65 will be released so that the movable contact 10 will spring into engagement with the fixed contact 72. The movable contact 10 is carried by a spring finger 1b which is mounted on a fixed contact l7. Connected to the contact 12 is a feed wire l8 which directs the current to a fixed contact ll on a similar switch illustrated at 63', the same being located on the succeeding shackle, the parts of which are designated by the same reference numerals, primed. From the foregoing it is thought to be apparent that a simple, foolproof and eificient arrangement has been devised whereby in one position of the single pole double throw switch only the solenoid on the particular shackle from which the bomb is to be dropped may be energized and no current can be supplied to the succeeding shackles until that bomb has been dropped. Thus when the master switch M is closed, it energizes only one solenoid and drops one bomb. Before another bomb can be dropped the master switch M must be opened, then closed, and likewise with all succeeding bombs to be dropped.

The line 719 which connects to the contact 11 to complete the circuit either to the solenoid 3! or to the switch 63' on the succeeding shackle leads from a switch 63 on the preceding shackle or to a battery or other source of power 89 located in the vicinity of the first shackle of the series. The master switch 14 is preferably located in the bombardiers station and taps into the circuit or line 19 between the battery or r source of power 8!! and the first shackle in the series. On succeeding shackles the line 18 becomes in effect the line 19 to connect the feed line to the switch. Thus the current from the battery 80 through the master switch It always fiows through line l9 leading to the switch 63 on the first shackle in the series and on through line 18 to similar switches on succeeding shackles.

As the parts are shown in Fig. 9 the master switch 14 has been closed to energize the solenoid 31 connected to the switch 63, the bomb in that respective shackle has been dropped and the master switch 14 again opened as is shown in the figure to cut the current and allow the solenoid spring to retract the solenoid core permitting the plungers iii to move outwardly. At this time the movable contact 10 on theswitch GS of the succeeding shackle is engaging the fixed contact H to direct the current to its solenoid through the lead 73. When the master switch M is again closed the solenoid connected to the switch 63' will be energized and the bomb in its shackle dropped.

In Fig. 9 alternate current feed line are illustrated in broken lines. If the illustrated shackle were to be considered the first in the series the connection 19 would lead to the battery 8E. If the illustrated shackle were an intermediate one in the series the line 19 would lead to a switch 63" on a preceding shackle.

It is to be'understood the plungers 6| are in line and are operated simultaneously. As heretofore stated when the shackle is loaded the plungers 6| are depressed, the pilot light circuit is completed and the circuit leading the current to the solenoid is formed so that the solenoid may be energized at the proper time by the master switch "M. After the solenoid has been energized and its core 42 moved to operate the control and release mechanism the prongs 64 on the fork 60 maintain contact with both plungers Bl. After the bomb has been dropped and the current has been cut by opening the master switch 14 the solenoid spring 43 throws the core 42 beyond the point of loaded position, thus permitting th plungers 6| to return to their normal position and break the pilot light circuit and direct the current to the switch 63' on the succeeding shackle. If the hooks l6, I! have not opened, it is impossible for the solenoid core to move to its opposite end of travel so as to permit of the succeeding shackle being connected into the circuit, as the solenoid core will contact the top edge of the hook I6, thus preventing any possibility of jamming bombs in the bomb bay.

I claim:

1. A bomb releasing shackle having in combination, a supporting frame, bomb carrying hooks pivoted in said frame, a tie rod connecting said hooks so that they will operate simultaneously, releasable locking means for the tie member and its hooks said releaseable locking means being mounted in said frame, a solenoid for operating said releasable locking means, the core of said solenoid being provided with an annular groove intermediate its outer end and a beveled portion adjacent said groove, and a control lever for said releasable locking means, said control lever being pivotally mounted in said frame and at substantially right angles to the core of said solenoid inone position having a portion thereof engaging said annular groove in the core of said solenoid so as to prevent operation of the releasable locking means, in another position being free of said core so as to permit the solenoid to operate the releasable locking means, and in another position having its free end engaging said beveled portion on the core of said solenoid so as to cam said core inwardly and 2. A bomb releasing shackle having in combination, a-supporting frame, bomb carrying hooks pivotedin aid frame, a tie rod connect ling said hooks so they will operate simultaneously, a toe on one :of said hooks, said toe extending in a direction toward the other of said hooks,

a pawl pivoted in said frame adjacent said hook carrying said toe and being in the same plane as said hook and its toe, a hook portion on said pawl, said toe engaging said hook portion so as to prevent movement of said tie member and its hooks, and a solenoid, the core of which is movable at right angles to the plane of said pawl, said solenoid core in its extended posi- Wtion being in the path of movement of said pawl bination, a supporting frame, bomb carrying hooks pivoted in said frame, a tie rod connecting said hooks so they will operate simultaneber and its hooks, said releasable locking means comprising a toe on one of said hooks, said toe ,ously, releasable locking means for the tie memmanually operate the releasable locking means.

extending in a direction toward the other of said .hooks, a pawl pivoted in said frame adjacent said hook carryingrsaid toe, a hook portion on said pawl, said toe ngaging said hook portion so as to prevent movement of said .tie member and its hooks, a solenoid, the core of said solenoid in one position being in the path of movement of said pawl and preventing movement of said pawl, and in another position permitting movement of said pawl 50- it may be disengaged from said toe and allow the hooks to release the bomb, the core of said solenoid being provided with an annular groove intermediate its. outer end and a beveled portion adjacent said groove, and a control lever positioned at substantially right angles to the core of said solenoid, said control lever being pivotally mounted in said frameand in one position having a portion thereof engaging said groove in the core of saidsolenoid so that the releasable locking means cannot be operated, and in another position being free of said core to permit the solenoid to operate the releasable, locking means, and in another position having 

